Kevin Mumford

Research Interests

Dr. Mumford is interested in the movement of multiple fluid phases (water, oil, gases) in porous media, and the mass transfer between those phases. These processes are relevant to many important environmental systems. For example, soil and groundwater can be significantly contaminated by the accidental release or improper disposal of non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs). These hazardous chemicals include petroleum fuels (gasoline, diesel fuel), chlorinated solvents (dry cleaning chemicals, degreasers), and coal tar. Contamination can jeopardize drinking water sources and limit the redevelopment of urban areas. The remediation of sites contaminated by these chemicals is a significant scientific and engineering challenge. An understanding of how these chemicals are distributed, and how they are transferred to the surrounding groundwater, is required to assess potential risk and design appropriate remediation strategies. Of particular interest to Dr. Mumford is how gas production and flow in the subsurface, due to both natural processes and as a result of remediation-based mechanisms, can affect the processes that control contamination and remediation. This includes under conditions relevant to vapour intrusion and thermal remediation, as well as the effects of stray gas migration during energy resource development. Dr. Mumford’s research uses a combination of laboratory experiments and numerical modelling to identify and quantify fundamental behaviour, and apply new insights to remediation scenarios.

Teaching Assistant and Research Assistant, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Waterloo

Graduate Student Opportunities

Ph.D. and M.A.Sc research positions are currently available in Dr. Mumford’s research group related to the:

Effect of gases on the application of in situ remediation technologies

Performance of in situ thermal treatment technologies

Mass transfer in NAPL-water-gas systems

Fate and transport of natural gas resulting from stray gas migration

Applicants should have a background in Civil, Environmental, Chemical, or Geoenvironmental Engineering, or the Geological Sciences with a strong academic record and be interested in pursuing leading research. Previous experience related to multiphase flow and environmental research is an asset, but is not essential. Interested candidates should send a cover letter and CV to kevin.mumford@queensu.ca with the subject line "Mumford Research Opportunity".

﻿Journal Publications

Hossain, S.Z., K.G. Mumford (2017), Capillary pressure-saturation relationships for diluted bitumen and water in gravel, Journal of Hydrology, In Press.

Mumford, K.G., N.A. Mustafa, J.I. Gerhard (2012), Comparing risk assessment at the site and community scales via Monte Carlo simulations with a new coupled groundwater-vapour-indoor air model, Presented at the 2012 AGU Fall meeting, San Francisco, CA, December 3-7, 2012.

Hegele, P.R., K.G. Mumford (2010), Analysis and simulation of gas flow in saturated porous media, Poster presentation at the Queen’s University Water Research Group Student Symposium, Kingston, ON, September 24, 2010.

Hometown: Richmond Hill, Ontario Email:emartin@ce.queensu.caEducation: B.Sc. (Eng) Chemical Engineering, Queen's University (2003); B.A. English Literature, Queen's University (2003); M.Sc. (Eng) Civil Engineering, Queen's University (2009) Co-supervisor: Dr. Bernard Kueper (Queen's University) Ph.D. research:Research has centered on laboratory experimentation using electrical resistance heating (ERH) as a groundwater remediation method. Contaminants of interest are dense, non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs), which are often toxic and considered carcinogenic. Special concerns include gas production and transport, and the effect that changes in geological and hydraulic conditions have on this process.

Hometown:Kingston, OntarioEmail:cole.vandeven@queensu.caEducation:B.Eng.Mgmt. Civil Engineering, McMaster University (2015)Ph.D. research:Performing laboratory experiments to understand the movement, dissolution and signatures of fugitive methane in shallow aquifers, from sources created by hydraulic fracturing operations. Detailed experiments will improve our understanding of fugitive methane, and aid future numerical modelling efforts and the development of effective monitoring programs.

Qianli Xie

Hometown:Wuhan, ChinaEmail:15qx1@queensu.caEducation:B.Sc. Geology, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) (2015); B.Sc. Hydrogeology, University of Waterloo (2015)Ph.D. research:﻿ Modelling the recovery of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds during in situ thermal remediation.

Sean Bryck

Hometown:Thornhill, OntarioEmail:sean.bryck@queensu.caEducation:B.Sc. (Eng) Civil Engineering, Queen’s University (2011); M.Sc. (Eng) Civil Engineering, Queen’s University (2014)Co-supervisor:Dr. Bernard Kueper (Queen’s University)Research:﻿ Research is focused on the application of numerical models to assess the fate and transport of DNAPLs in heterogeneous subsurface environments, including the development of virtual site assessment tools to reproduce site investigation technologies.